A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the northern foothills of the Himalayas near Tibet’s sacred city of Tingri on Tuesday morning, killing at least 53 people and injuring 62, according to Chinese authorities.
The earthquake, with its epicentre in Tingri, a rural county that serves as the northern gateway to the Everest region, occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time (0105 GMT). The quake had a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Centre. Meanwhile, the US Geological Service recorded the magnitude as 7.1.
The tremors were felt far beyond Tibet, shaking buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, and India. In Nepal, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that seven hill districts bordering Tibet experienced tremors, though no casualties or significant property damage have been confirmed so far. Remote villages in these areas, many accessible only by foot, are still being assessed for potential impact. In Kathmandu, located some 400 km (250 miles) from the epicentre, residents fled their homes in fear.
India’s northern state of Bihar and Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, also reported feeling the quake. Officials in these regions have not reported any significant damage or loss of life.
Tibet bore the brunt of the earthquake, with significant destruction in Tingri and its surrounding villages. Chinese state media showed crumbled shopfronts and debris-littered roads in the town of Lhatse, located within the quake-affected region. The Shigatse area, home to 800,000 people and the administrative centre of Tibetan Buddhism’s Panchen Lama, was also heavily impacted.
Villages within 20 km (12 miles) of the epicentre house a population of approximately 6,900. Local officials are coordinating rescue efforts and assessing casualties in nearby towns and villages. President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue operations to minimise further loss of life and ensure affected residents have shelter and warmth during the winter months.
The earthquake was followed by dozens of aftershocks, with magnitudes reaching up to 4.4. This region is no stranger to seismic activity due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. In 2015, Nepal experienced a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that killed approximately 9,000 people and triggered an avalanche at Mount Everest base camp, claiming at least 18 lives.
Tuesday’s epicentre was located about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest. The ongoing winter season is not a peak time for climbers, and only one German mountaineer had a permit to climb Everest. He had already left the base camp after an unsuccessful attempt to reach the summit, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
Authorities in China, Nepal, Bhutan, and India have mobilised resources to assess damage, assist affected populations, and monitor ongoing seismic activity. In Tingri, local residents reported strong shaking, while social media footage revealed the extent of destruction.
The earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the Himalayan region, where communities often endure the harsh realities of tectonic shifts. As rescue and recovery operations continue, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and rebuilding affected areas.
Melissa Enoch
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